City considers long-term garbage agreement with Southern Central

The city of McMinnville may not have to worry about its garbage until 2011, a welcome relief for elected officials.

Disposing of the city?s garbage has raised a stink in the past resulting in several complaints and at least one citation against WastAway regarding an offensive smell area residents complained about from 2003 to 2005.

With all the past complications in mind, and considering new problems that could arise, city aldermen have shunned the idea of re-opening the transfer station.

?We could open it back up if that?s what you really want, but there is a lot of liability with doing that,? said Public Works director Bill Brock.

Instead, elected officials are considering entering into a deal with Southern Central Iron & Metal to handle the city?s garbage. The business, located at 4530 Manchester Highway has been taking the city?s garbage for months, but now the company would like a long-term contract.

The contract between the business and the city will last until the end of June, 2011. In that time, the business would be paid $35.75 per ton for garbage, with an estimated 10,000 tons disposed of yearly.

With the rising cost of fuel, there is a fuel adjustment within the contract. The cost paid to Southern Central for its fuel expense will change monthly with the cost of fuel. The monthly calculation will be made using the national average price of diesel fuel as reported weekly by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy.

If the contract is approved, the contractor will receive two invoices to the city per month, one for tons received in solid waste and one for expense of fuel.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen still need to pass the resolution to enter into a contract.